James Alexander Gray

James Alexander Gray passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the age of 44. He was born on April 2, 1982, in Pensacola, Florida to James Neil Gray and Katherine Ann Kaough Gray. After graduating from Northeast Lauderdale High School in Meridian, Mississippi in 2000, James attended Meridian Community College and received his associate in arts degree. Always one to further his education, he then graduated in 2006 from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This was the catalyst for a long and successful career in the oil and gas refining industry. James’s expertise was part of the team at Danny Byrd Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (later WorleyParsons Limited), and culminated as the Senior Mechanical Engineer/FCC Mechanical Specialist with Hargrove Engineers and Constructors.

His job eventually brought him to Baton Rouge. A chance encounter on a dating website introduced him to his future wife, Stephanie Bayhi. Little did he know, her friends swiped him for her – a match made to be ‘everlong’ – a tribute to their song from the Foo Fighters! Just over a year later, with the help of her coworkers, James created a romantic proposal dinner complete with her favorite meal and a cherished, unopened bottle of Mollydooker Velvet Glove wine they had purchased at a wine tasting dinner. She said yes, the bottle was opened and 12 years later they were still the same loving couple.

James is survived by his wife, Stephanie Bayhi Gray and their beloved children Landon and Amelia Gray. He is also survived by his mother Katherine Gray and his father Neil Gray and wife Debbie; his brothers, Josh Gray and wife Rachel, his younger twin brother (by six minutes) Jeremy Gray and wife Christy; his sister Jessica Edmonds and husband Justin; his stepsister Julie Null and husband Jason; his nieces Ada Gray and Jeannie Null; and nephews, Judah Gray, Jameson Edmonds and Jonah Null; as well as numerous other loving family and countless friends.

Growing up in Mississippi, he spent his time outside hunting, fishing and living his best life on their property that included a lake. His love for the outdoors never wavered and he instilled this same passion in his family through annual camping trips. James enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially when it included a meal – one that everyone hoped included his famous homemade pasta. Food was never far from James’s mind, whether it was cooking classes at Ruffino’s, serving as “master smoker” or creating an all-star breakfast on his Blackstone, and never more so than when he and Stephanie took their infamous “Meat Retreat” that included a road trip to Tennessee and five hamburgers in one day, the first at 8:00 a.m.!

James will forever be remembered as loving, funny (quite the ‘stinker’ as his mom recalled) and always the impractical joker – usually doubling over in laughter at his own jokes harder than anyone else ever could. His colleagues were receivers of his daily “dad joke’ calendar quips, whether they wanted it or not, despite this James was a very respected engineer among his peers. He was loyal, dedicated and embodied the best of us in him, but above all this, James was simply the best dad…ever! Whether he was building his son a toy chest, his daughter a Barbie box, his wife a custom armoire bar, or providing his carpentry and handyman services to his children’s school.

He was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, the Men’s Club at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church and a Civic Association Board member for White Oak Landing subdivision.

While our time was short with James, we will forever cherish the memories made by a husband, father son, brother, twin, nephew, uncle, colleague and friend.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. A Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com